A special project put together by Hampshire County Council to help disadvantaged families has been praised in the House of Commons.
The Education Secretary welcomed the connect4communities programme which was created after a comprehensive new plan to help families was announced - with significant funding - from the Department for Work and Pensions in November 2020.
The purpose of this programme is to support vulnerable families during the winter as the coronavirus pandemic continues and help ensure children and young people do not go hungry or without essential items. This includes:
- £170m Covid Winter Grant Scheme to support children, families and the most vulnerable over winter including February 2021 half-term
- Holiday Activities and Food programme to be expanded, covering Easter, Summer and Christmas in 2021
- Healthy Start payments set to rise from £3.10 to £4.25 a week from April 2021
Winchester & Chandler's Ford MP, Steve Brine, says; "The Covid Winter Grant Scheme allows Hampshire County Council, working with Winchester City Council and Eastleigh Borough Council, to directly help the hardest-hit families and individuals in my constituency, as well as provide food for children who need it over the holidays."
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